Moments 08 25 :: Week 01

Last Friday, Brian drove the EAA and camped for the weekend. Cole, Zoe and I decided to check out the Riverwest 24, aka The People's Holiday. It's such a fun event that starts Friday at 7pm and ends Saturday at 7pm. The goal is to get as many laps as possible, but honestly, it's really more fun than anything. There are quirky bonus checkpoints (tattoo anyone?), bands playing in garages, and people out everywhere all night long. 

You come across things like this! So much fun. We ran into a few friends who were doing it. It's on Cole's bucket list to do some day, so I was happy we were able to make it. 

The next day I drove to Oshkosh and met up with Brian at the EAA. It was sweltering, and jam packed, but still fun. I missed having Hudson there, but we did run into the SLU guys which was fun. 

The whole event is a blast to be honest. All day long their are air shows going on. These were old military planes. 

Love the paint jobs on them. 

The acrobatics are insane. What I love most though, is the fighter jets zooming low and so fat only feet from you. It's crazy. 

I stayed for the night show. Imagine airplanes with fireworks coming off of them. Laser, drone, fire bombs. This show has it all, and again, it's so close by. It's very cool. I need to plan better though. It took just as long for me to get out of the parking lot as it did to get home. It was a long day, but worth it. 

My friend Kim loaned me this book. It was a little strange and sad, but I couldn't put it down. I can't even explain it. 

The most exciting news is that our niece Mackenzie and her new husband Patryck are expecting twins. She officially announced it, so I can too. I can't wait for this. 

But wait! There's even more most exciting news. Maia + Caleb got engaged. He proposed in Paris. I can't say it's a surprise, but we are all so happy for them. Caleb is such a great guy, and we can't wait to officially welcome him into the family. 

Moments 07 25 :: Week 04

Last week was all about driving back and forth to Chicago. Thursday was the concert. Friday was a low country shrimp boil at The Frigs. Everyone but Hudson (boo) was able to make it. It was fun getting together. We'll be doing it soon again, I'm sure. 

The Frigs are always such great hosts and the food was delicious.

The seafood boil inspiration came from these two Tulane graduates. 

Such a fun summer night. 

Cole also had three soccer games this week. The first was Saturday in Racine during the pouring rain. Then Sunday, it was back to Chicago to play on the Loyola University fields. 

Zoe goes to school there, and a lot of her friends are staying in Chicago for the summer, so she got to see the for the first time in months. These three were all in Rome last semester together. 

The soccer fields are right by Devon, so Brian and I got to walk around and explore the neighborhood for a little bit. We also picked up some late night food for the car ride home.

Wednesday was the final RKC game of the season. The game was on their home field in Racine, and they won 5-0. Cole even scored his second goal of the season. The team is made of such quality players, and the club has been really good to him. He's super lucky to get to play this high level soccer during the summer season. Now, he gets some deserved rest before the college season kicks in. 

The Kramers and Sandoval's came out to cheer Cole on for his final game too.

Quesadillas over the open fire. It's been awhile since we've made those. 

My friends were that the shrimp truck that sells wild gulf shrimp was going to be in the neighborhood, and I had to check it out. I've seen this truck before and wondered, who would buy shrimp out of a truck? That answer today, is me. And let me tell you, it's legit. The line was long, the shrimp was fresh. They drive up from Texas every 5 weeks or so. 

I even made a spontaneous shrimp lunch for myself, before freezing the rest. Complete with corn I picked up yesterday from a farmer's stand. Lucky me! Meanwhile, Brian headed up to the EAA for a couple days for AirVenture. I may join him tomorrow. We'll see. 

Moments 07 25 :: Week 03

We got some of Mackenzie + Patryck's wedding photos back. They turned out so great. 

Hudson spent a lot of time on East Coast this stint flying, and got to sample several lobster rolls. It's been awhile since we've gotten one at St. Paul Fish market and we suddenly had a craving. They are honestly amazing. Yum. 

Love our little backyard fire pit area. 

We had a free weekend and got a ton of yard work done. Mostly spreading the 18 yards of mulch that was delivered a few weeks ago. (Cole spread some of it, but has been so busy working and with soccer practice -- he's never around). After our long day of work, Brian grilled some branzino. Delicious. 

Finished another book. A friend loaned this to me and honestly, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get into it. It's a love story about a couple. The man turns into a great white shark. Weird, right? But it was good. 

Another field trip! This time with Bella. I just love her "eye brow" and ears. One stands up, the other flops down. She's adorable. She's described as an active dog, but honestly, she was excitable, but kind of lazy. She was so easy to walk, and I could tell, preferred just get driven around. So we went through Starbucks and got a pup cup.  

And I stopped at our house so Cole and Brian could meet her. She loved Brian, and threw herself at his feet when she met him. What a sweetheart. 

Brian and I drove to Chicago to see Father John Misty with Amy + Graham. But first, dinner at Big Star. I miss the grit of the city sometimes.

Crazy collage at The Salt Shed. I dig it. 

It was all of our first time at this venue. Ironically, it's only a few blocks from our two-flat. How fun would that have been to have this within walking distance? 

Father John Misty was incredible. Brian saw him live a couple years ago. Unfortunately, I ended up getting a stomach bug and had to bail, so missed out. He and his band are absolutely fantastic. It was a fun night.

Moments 07 25 :: Week 02

The 4th of July fell on a Friday this year, and was such a blast. We met up my friend Kim and her family, per usual, then Cole and Zoe stopped by to see us. 

We have been watching the parade with Kim and her family for years. Zoe's dad bumped into us too. 

The parade is so much fun. We ran into so many friends. Ali was driving Coco's dance team in her Jeep. My friend Jennie was walking with Bubble Bee Blinds, her blind company. Brad drove his motorcycle with his dog, Ginger, in the side car. It's a blast. Afterwards, we go over to Kim's. Every year she throws down a huge spread and friends and neighbors stop ball through the night. She does such a great job, and it's always fun to catch up with her family. Later that night, Leif and Mel came by for dinner. So much fun. It was a perfect 4th.

Gretel and her poor little legs. She's always had issues, and had surgery years ago so has a plate in her knee. She gets around fine, but it cracks me up how she sits. Such a cutie.

Cole had a soccer game on Saturday and had a fun cheering section.

That's him getting a header. It was fun having everyone there, especially since he scored his first goal in years. It was a good one too.

On Sunday we went to Zoe's for family dinner. 

Little Frankie is getting so big. She's 8 months old already, and so sweet.

This big baby blue jay was hovering around our window. The parent kept swooping in to check on it, and eventually usher him away. 

I took this little fluffer-nutter out on a field trip on Monday. Barbus is such a cute little guy! He's 40ish pounds and such a gentleman. He does give boy dogs a bad name and wanted to mark everything, but he's such a sweet dog. I have no idea why he hasn't been snatched up yet. The other one that I don't understand is Blue (formerly Dior). She's so much fun and would be perfect for someone who loves hiking and being outdoor. All the others I've walked have been adopted, so that's the good news.  

My parents had us all out on Tuesday. The Toson's are moving to Colorado next week. It was great seeing everyone before they leave.

The garden is going nuts! Perfect mix of heat and rain I guess. Better start using our nasturtiums!

Moments 07 25 :: Week 01

Last Friday we went to Cafe Benelux with Leif + Mel before going to Summerfest. There was a little drink snafu so we ended up with a second set accidentally getting delivered.

No complaints here. We thought it was hilarious. 

Met up with the Tillotson's for a bit before heading into a concert. Love seeing our people. 

The Killers! I cannot remember the last time I was at a concert in the Amphitheater and this was a really good one. They sure can put on a show. 

The Hoan Bridge was lit, and the entire space was full of energy. It was a blast. 

Meanwhile, Hudson & Natalie went to Hud's college roommate Zack's wedding in St. Louis. Love this photo.

On Monday, I took 6-year old Princess out for a field trip. It was a little warm, but I was happy to get this Benchwarmer out for the day. I sure love me a pitbull. They are the sweetest and most affectionate dogs. Seriously. I don't see her on the website anymore so crossing my fingers she was adopted. We did meet a few people who fell in love with her instantly, so you never know. 

After a few days off, Hudson is back in the air. He ended up in Nantucket for a couple of days. How cool is that? He said it was like summer camp for adults, and enjoyed sampling a couple different lobster rolls, both hot and cold. Yum. 

Our friends Bill and Jill invited us to their annual hot dog party. It's always so much fun, and at this point in our lives, the one place I get to run into so many people I know. We had an absolute blast. 

They had hired an artist to do some portraits. I can't say it looks like us, but I kind of love it. Love the hot dog border. (By the way, those aren't cinnamon rolls. I had buns in my hair. Ha!)